Coldplay, Live Nation form committee for sustainability study

Coldplay, Live Nation, Warner Music Group (WMG) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have announced an advisory committee for their study of the live music industry’s carbon footprint.

The Assessment Report of Live Music and Climate Change in the US and the UK, announced in January, will suggest practical solutions to reduce the environmental impact of live music events “at every level,” from pubs and clubs to stadiums.

The next phase of the study involves the assembly of an advisory committee of over 50 music industry experts and veterans across core areas including venue management, tour management and production, artist relations, and sustainability.

Michael Rapino (president & CEO, Live Nation) Robert Kyncl, (CEO, Warner Music Group), Ellie Goulding (artist), Jessica Koravos (co-chair, president OVG) and Josh Javor (partner & co-head of WME) are among the committee members.

“As I’ve been saying for many years, we urgently need data-driven action on climate and nature breakdown in every area,” says Ellie Goulding, artist & advisory committee member. “This is the first time a study like this has taken place at this scale, including all the different parts of the industry ecosystem, from artists and promoters to management and labels and I’m really pleased to support that level of collaboration.”

Prof. John E. Fernandez, director, MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative, which is conducting the study, adds: “With the participation of the advisory committee and contributions of data from various sources, we are well on our way to producing a significant contribution to knowledge that can support meaningful actions to address climate change.”

Additional contributions will come from various organisations, NGOs and charities that work within the live music ecosystem including REVERB, Support+Feed, Julie’s Bicycle, Global Citizen and Client Earth.

“As I’ve been saying for many years, we urgently need data-driven action on climate and nature breakdown in every area”

The report, initially anticipated to be complete in July 2024, has been extended to allow for more comprehensive data collection and analysis. It is now expected to be released in the autumn of 2024. The aim remains to:

• Develop a comprehensive assessment of the relationship between live music and climate change.
• Identify key areas where the industry and concertgoers can make tangible improvements to reduce emissions and drive planet-positive outcomes.
• Provide a detailed analysis of the latest developments in technology and practices that industry players can tap into.

Other advisory members include Lesley Olenik (SVP, Global Touring Live Nation), Danny Rukasin (manager, Billie Eilish), Joel Eriksson (tour manager, Fred Again..), Nicole Massey, (production manager for Billie Eilish and FINNEAS), Rebecca Travis (tour manager, Florence + The Machine, Gorillaz), Lindsay Arell (chief sustainability Officer, ASM Global), Lucy August-Perna (head of sustainability, Live Nation) and more.

Earlier this year, Coldplay revealed they had beaten their target for cutting carbon emissions on their Music of the Spheres World Tour.

Highlights from the ongoing trek have included an 86% average return and re-use rate of LED wristbands, 18 shows powered entirely using the tourable battery system in 2023 made from recycled BMW i3 batteries and 23 partnerships with green travel providers to help fans travel to shows via super-low carbon transport.

In addition, 17kWh average power per show has been generated via in-venue solar installations, kinetic dance floors and power bikes – enough to power the band’s C-stage performance each night.

All shows have offered free water refill stations for fans, while over 3,000 tCO2e has been saved by purchasing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for flights, and 72% of all tour waste has been diverted from landfill and sent for reuse, recycling and composting, while 9,625 meals and 90kg of toiletries donated from tour catering to the unhoused and unsheltered.

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